War Dance (2007)

85% of critics liked it
(48 reviews)
91% of users liked it
(2,662 ratings)

Set in Northern Uganda, a country ravaged by more than two decades of civil war, "War/Dance" tells the story of Dominic, Rose and Nancy, three children whose families have been torn apart, their homes destroyed, and who currently reside in a displaced persons camp in Patongo. When they are invited… More Set in Northern Uganda, a country ravaged by more than two decades of civil war, "War/Dance" tells the story of Dominic, Rose and Nancy, three children whose families have been torn apart, their homes destroyed, and who currently reside in a displaced persons camp in Patongo. When they are invited to compete in an annual music and dance festival, their historic journey to their nation's capital is also an opportunity to regain a part of their childhood and to taste victory for the first time in their lives.

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Sean Fine, Andrea Nix
Genres: Documentary, Drama

In Theaters: Nov 9, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Apr 15, 2008
Studio: ThinkFilm

Critic Reviews

Jonathan F. Richards, Film.com
It is wonderful to watch this joyous slice of the cultural lives of these victimized, traumatized children struggling to survive and build a better life in a desperately troubled part of the world.
Jennie Punter, Globe and Mail
This film offers a child's perspective on the ravages and complexity of war and is also a convincing testament to the healing power of creative expression.
Philip Marchand, Toronto Star
'The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places,' Hemingway wrote in A Farewell to Arms. That statement might stand as the summation of this documentary, which celebrates the strength of winsome, broken children.
Bruce Newman, San Jose Mercury News
The perfect antidote to compassion fatigue.
Rachel Howard, San Francisco Chronicle
The horror and heartwarming [is] equally compounded.
Ty Burr, Boston Globe
War/Dance is two documentaries struggling uneasily against each other. The one that wins -- the only one that matters, really -- is a devastatingly emotional saga about Ugandan children of war reclaiming their lives.
Joly Herman, Common Sense Media
Riveting story of pain and beauty in Uganda.
Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile
This wonderful doco is heartbreaking and heartwarming by turns
Bill Gibron, PopMatters
War/Dance suggests that talent can overcome even the greatest of tragedies. All one has to do is receive vindication for their attempts, and a whole new outlook blossoms
Kam Williams, Sly Fox
Besides breathtaking cinematography, undulating rhythms, enchanting choreography and soul-piercing refrains, this uplifting documentary is worthwhile as an affirmation of the human potential to be reborn even in the midst of dire circumstances.
Kam Williams, NewsBlaze
An emotionally-engaging testament to the indomitability of the human spirit even in the midst of the most dire of circumstances.
Larry Ratliff, San Antonio Express-News
We celebrate joy rising from the ashes of tragedy.
Robert W. Butler, Kansas City Star
This is powerful stuff that reasserts both the evil and the good in human hearts.
Karina Montgomery, Cinerina
A truly beautiful tribute to the redemptive powers of art, music, and dance, and the insidious destructiveness that trickles down in war to the most innocent of victims. Please see it.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
The film's artsy surface diminishes its impact [but] tells a story that needs to be told repeatedly.

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Michael S

Powerful documentary that is both upsetting and uplifting.
Lesley N

Compulsory viewing on subject matter alone.

War Dance (2007)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Michael S

Lesley N

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